Association Forum - "Below decks fuel tank" and outboards

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

"Below decks fuel tank" and outboards

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tbosch
Navigator

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163 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/03/2008 : 10:05:19

My 1980 Catalina 25 does not have a separate fuel locker. I've got a standard outboard fuel tank. The venting in the cap results in some fumes in the boat. The person sleeping in the aft berth often comments on the smell. I'm wondering if a below decks fuel tank could be installed in the port cockpit locker in the same place that the current tank is kept. I would put a fill pipe and a vent on the coming above and outboard of the tank. Is there any reason that I can't/shouldn't do this? I'm assuming that I can install fittings on the below decks tank for an outboard and use it without further modifications. I'm also assuming that I can use a below decks tank for my 2-stroke's oil/fuel mixture. If they can work with diesel they should be able to work with that, shoudn't they?

Here are the kinds of tanks I'm referring to: http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/catalog.cgi?cname=Below-Deck-Gas-Tanks& r=browse& aID=21C

What does the collective wisdom of the borg have to say about this plan?

Thanks,
Todd
1980 c25 SR/FK

Todd
1980 C25 SR/FK "Dora"

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 10:41:05

I am confused. Your tank should be on the tank shelf in the aft section of the the port locker. Where is it now? For what it is worth, if I had one of the older boats like yours my tank would be in the cockpit.

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tbosch
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163 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 10:59:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Frank Hopper
 I am confused. Your tank should be on the tank shelf in the aft section of the the port locker.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yup. That's where it is now, on hte shelf in the port locker. I think that the tank would be better in the cockpit, as you suggest. but from a space and esthetics perspective (read "admiral") it would be great to keep it out of site. That's why I'm considering installing this kind of tank as a replacement. It would go into the same location, on the shelf in the aft of the port locker.

Thanks,
Todd

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 11:44:25

Todd,

My "Improved" C-25'S fuel locker is where your fuel locker is except that it sealed from below decks. The objective is to keep explosive fumes from doing what they love to do, EXPLODE!

If I were to modify the setup that Catalina provided you with I'd just glass in the area where your gas tank is and try to reproduce what Catalina did to later boats as much as is possible. Putting any tank of gasoline below decks is inviting disaster, IMHO.

Val on Calista, # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 11:57:49

Catalina made a mistake when they made that shelf like that for a fuel tank. It should only be used for a cooler.
The electrical connections are not ignition protected so no gasoline or propane should ever be stored in there.
In order to store fuel tank in that space properly, you must follow the rules set forth by the USCG. These rules are for new boat construction, but in some instances they say, " To comply with the law..." that tells me that they can tell you to remove your boat from the water until these conditions are met both fuel storage and ventilation. You need to read all of the regs cuz it all goes together.

This is the only way I'd store gasoline below decks. I have a 13 gallon fuel tank below decks and an inboard gasoline engine.

I installed ventilation barriers (bulkheads to isolate the engine room from the rest of the boat) and a blower. I removed all of the electric connections from inside the space. I will probably install a gasoline vapour monitor system with an alarm.
[url="http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boatbuilder/"]USCG Boatbuilders Handbook[/url]

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 12:21:25

I only open the fuel tank vent when using the outboard otherwise it's closed.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 12:50:44

John Vining, one of our members, has installed a large fuel tank for his outboard in the starboard lazarette. Check out his web site at johnvining.com. I believe he has photos of the installation and other mods for his boat.

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tbosch
Navigator

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163 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 13:15:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 John Vining, one of our members, has installed a large fuel tank for his outboard in the starboard lazarette.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bingo! This is exactly what I was hoping to do. I was thinking of putting a square tank on the existing shelf but I like his location.

He also had good ideas for active ventilation (blower) and sealing his electrical panel. That would help with the concerns that some of you have raised about fuel storage.

John's web site looks like it will be very helpful!

Thanks,
Todd

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 13:19:34

Do I agree with all the suggestions, I have the 79 C25. I have stored my tanks, steel, below from day one as that's what was presented. I do have the blower on the vent hose and all the electrical connections are sealed with silicone and a wood frame and Plexiglas cover. Fire resistant fuel line connected directly to the tank and long enough to reach out of the stern opening for all the outboard controls to prevent the drip when connecting and disconnecting the fuel line to the fuel line pump at the outboard. I replace the vent O ring and the cap gasket on a regular basis. The tanks are strapped in place and are never fueled up in the boat. I remove the tanks to the dock for refueling and report to who ever will listen if I see this procedure not followed. If my warning is met with disapproval I leave immediately.

I use the procedure of turning on the blower for 4-5 minutes, sniffing the locker, looking for any wetness of the fuel line or tank and if all checks out start the outboard. I open the vent only after the outboard is running. When I begin to sail and shut off the outboard and raise it, I close the vent on the tank. This is my way to stay as safe as possible with the 79. The tank vent if it could be extended out of the hull would really be great for safety but would add to the removal for refueling. Wish me luck for the next 30 years.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 13:55:57

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tbosch
Navigator

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163 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 17:23:27

Jim,

Thanks for the response. If I don't proceed with the project I will adopt your procedures!

Todd

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 21:04:16

Note: See the latest Traveler thread for Jim Baumgart's reply on this topic.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2008 : 05:46:06

People have been beating the doom and gloom drum on the "lazarette fuel locker" since the beginning of time, even though the number of incidents reported around here is zero. I have one of these boats, a 1980, and I'm aware of the potential problems, but I'm not consumed by worry over it. As to fumes in the cabin, I don't smell any.

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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2008 : 06:41:13

There is a difference between a portable tank sitting on the shelf and a permanently mounted tank. Lets make sure were comparing apples to apples.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2008 : 11:24:58

I think I'll reply to the traveller post in this thread!

My boat is 30 years old and has not blown up, even with an electrical fire in the lazerete. Just don't fuel up with the tank in the boat.

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